section 4

[tayloc1976]

My husband was arrested I rang the police because he threatened to pour turps over himself , I was scared for him not myself so therefore rang the police , He has a history of depression and alcohol abuse (he had been drinking the morning of the incident, when the police and fire crew turned up he grabbed knives but he never threatened anybody but himself.
He was charged with affrey which has been dropped to a section 4 , I never made a statement as i know at the time my husband basically was having some sort of breakdown as it was totally out of charactor (i feel it was a cry for help) he previously had seen his GP about his mental health problem who put him on anti depressants , he has been seeing a councillor and has not drank for 12 weeks since this happened he is very remorseful his solicitor has said me writing a letter to the magistrates explaining this could help I am willing to do this but how will it help him as he is going to plead guilty to section 4 .

[Paul21455]

Without knowing the full facts, it seems that his state of mind at the time of the offence is key to the outcome, and was the cause of his behaviour at the time. It is absolutely vital that you get his solicitor to seek medical reports before any sentencing is carried out.

Pleading guilty always seems to help, and will be taken into account by the Court. (It saves the court time, and with it public money.)

If the solicitor is worth his salt, he will explain to the court exactly what the problems are/were, and the Court would normally adjourn sentencing, pending the medical reports and intervention of other agencies where necessary.

If he has no previous convictions for similar offences, that will also be taken into account, and the sentence will be determined, bearing all the relevant circumstances in mind.

If you feel that writing a letter to the Court will help, then by all means do so, and get others to do so as well. Those who know him best and who can give a true and accurate account of his normal self, and how he has been affected by his current problems. Get a letter from his doctor to support his case.

Don't worry too much, and get good legal representation.